Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

Historic Charlemont Covered Bridge Reopens

MassHighway announced the newly-refurbished, historic Bissell Covered Bridge has reopened to traffic.  The 59-year old Bissell Bridge carrying Route 8A over Mill Brook in the Town of Charlemont is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is the second covered bridge structure at this location and has been open only to foot traffic since a temporary bridge was constructed in 1995. 

  Bissell Bridge Before Renovation

 Bridge Following Rehabilitation

A nearly two-year, $3 million rehabilitation preserved the historic character of the structurally deficient wooden covered bridge, including partial dismantling the bridge superstructure and inspection of the individual timber members for rot; construction of new abutment back walls and concrete approach slabs; replacement of floor trusses, decking, and bridge railings; and installation of tension reinforcing steel rods.  A fire protection system for the timber structure was installed.  

Four MBTA Unions Agree to Wage Freeze

Governor Deval Patrick, Transportation Secretary James Aloisi and T General Manager Daniel Grabauskas announced that four MBTA unions have voluntarily agreed to defer, for one year, 4% raises that were granted by an arbitrator last year. 

The raises were to take effect July 1st, the start of a new fiscal year for which the T projects a $160 million deficit.

Members of the Office and Professional Employees International – Local 453, Welders – Local 651, and Professional and Technical Engineers – Local 105 have already voted to defer the raises, while the Executive Board of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – Local 717, has endorsed the action, and will soon bring it to their full membership.  The four unions represent over 500 workers at the MBTA.  Grabauskas said the unions’ willingness to defer the raises will reduce the MBTA payroll, along with FICA and pension expenses, by $1,658,000 in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

In addition, 273 non-union T employees will forego raises for the fourth year in a row.  Secretary Aloisi and Grabauskas have asked the MBTA’s other labor groups, including the largest, the Boston Carmen’s Union – Local 589, to join the four unions which have already agreed to a wage freeze this year.

If the MBTA’s other unions, representing everyone from bus drivers to Transit Police, make a similar concession, the MBTA would save a total of $17,326,000 in the FY 2010 budget.

Millville Bridge Dedication Honors Local Resident

  

MassHighway Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky today joined state and local officials, approximately 100 town residents and the entire high school marching band in the renaming of the reconstructed Central Street bridges in Millville in honor of lifelong resident John Dean. 

Senator Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and Representative Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton joined the ceremonies honoring Dean, the town Highway Surveyor and champion of this important downtown construction project.

Dean worked with MassHighway to identify the deterioration of the five-bridge Millville Bridge system, assisted with the historically appropriate redesign and the reconstruction process, and worked with legislators to secure the necessary funding for the $8.2 million project on the only road that connects Millville’s north and south sides.

The Legislature last year approved a bill to rename the bridges the John Dean bridges. Dean has served the town since 1962 as a highway laborer, Highway Surveyor, a captain of the Millville Fire Department and member of the Millville Recreation Board.  

Today, the high school marching band played and marched with Dean across a bridge that now bears his name. 

MBTA: Fed Stimulus to Reduce Locomotive Diesel Pollution

 

The Patrick Administration has announced $1.1 million in federal stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will repower 11 MBTA locomotives' engines to reduce particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions, which contribute to asthma and other respiratory problems.

A total of $1.73 million in federal stimulus funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)will also support projects that address diesel emissions from trash and recycling trucks and fishing boats, and promote the purchase of cleaner running hybrid trucks.

The grants were announced today at the MBTA’s Readville train yard in Hyde Park.

Learn more about Governor Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan investments here.

 

Newburyport-Amesbury Bridge Reopens

  

MassHighway today reopens the Hines Bridge connecting Newburyport and Amesbury.  The bridge closed in November after being struck by a barge.  Repairs were completed to allow a temporary reopening for the warm weather season. 

MassHighway Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky says a permanent replacement and rehabilitation project is expected to begin later this year.

Read the Daily News story.

"Operation Graduation" Targets Teen Driver Safety

“This is a positive outreach campaign to remind teenage drivers to make good choices as they celebrate the end of their time in high school”- Registrar Rachel Kaprielian. 

RMV inspectors and local police surprised teenage drivers at 33 high schools statewide today as part of this year's "Operation Graduation" to encourage safe driving during the prom and graduation season.

Enforcement teams set up unannounced safety checks to reward teen drivers who were in compliance with the state’s junior operator and safety belt laws and warn those in violation about the consequences.

Preliminary results show 86% of the 4,457 teen drivers passed the safety inspection.  A total of 54 junior operators violated the passenger restriction and received verbal warnings.  Teams also found 14% (673) not wearing seat belts.

Statistics compiled since the new junior operator law took effect show that teens are driving safer as the number of crashes and speeding citations has dropped.

Learn more about the junior operator license here. 

MBTA Bus Rapid Transit Community Meeting

The Executive Office of Transportation today announced a community meeting on Thursday May 21 to present the concept for the proposed MBTA ‘South Station Direct Connect’ service.  This service will provide enhanced MBTA Silver Line service between Dudley Station and South Station, including dedicated bus lanes along Essex Street and a new state-of-the-art bus kiosk at the corner of Essex Street and Atlantic Avenue. 

Planners will present their ideas and answer questions from the public.

WHAT:           Community meeting on proposed South Station Direct Connect Project

WHEN:           Thursday May 21, 2009, 6:00PM – 8:00PM

WHERE:  State Transportation Building, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, in Conference Rooms 1, 2, and 3.

A photo ID is required to enter the State Transportation Building.

Read the facts about this project here. 

Secretary Aloisi Moderates Governor Forums

Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi, Jr. will moderate two Patrick-Murray Administration community forums on choices facing Massachusetts in the current economic climate.

Secretary Aloisi will moderate a community forum today, Thursday, May 14, 7:30– 8:30pm, at Whaling Church, 69 Main Street, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard.  

 

Secretary Aloisi will also moderate a community forum Tuesday, May 19, 6:30-7:30pm, Chelsea High School, 299 Everett Ave., Chelsea.

 

Governor Patrick launched the statewide series of 36 Community Forums on Choices and Priorities to give local residents an opportunity to discuss the difficult budget decisions, reform proposals and revenue packages being considered on Beacon Hill.

Dates, times, locations and administration hosts for other forums can be found here.  Summaries along with videos and questions will be posted following the forums.

MBTA: Zero Tolerance Cellphone Announcement

Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi, Jr. and MBTA General Manager Dan Grabauskas today announced a new "zero tolerance" cellphone policy for T drivers. 

Drivers using cellphones or similar devices while operating trains or buses face dismissal on the first offense.  Drivers in possession of a cellphone while on the train or bus and on duty face a 10-day suspension for the first offense and dismissal for the second offense. 

Watch the announcement. 

At Governor Patrick's direction, Secretary Aloisi said the Executive Office of Transportation is reviewing all safety-related policies and procedures at the state's transit authorities.

Secretary, Registrar Lead Governor Community Forums

 

Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi, Jr. and Registrar Rachel Kaprielian will moderate four Patrick-Murray Administration community forums in the next two weeks on choices facing Massachusetts in the current economic climate.

Registrar Kaprielian will moderate a forum Tuesday, May 12, 5:30-6:30pm, 70 Allen Street, Pittsfield.

Registrar Kaprielian will also moderate a forum Wednesday, May 13, 6:30-7:30pm, 8 Conway Street, South Deerfield. 

Transportation Secretary Aloisi will moderate a community forum Thursday, May 14, 7:30– 8:30pm, Whaling Church, 69 Main Street, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard.  

 

Secretary Aloisi will also moderate a community forum Tuesday, May 19, 6:30-7:30pm, Chelsea High School, 299 Everett Ave., Chelsea.

 

Governor Patrick launched the statewide series of 36 Community Forums on Choices and Priorities to give local residents an opportunity to discuss the difficult budget decisions, reform proposals and revenue packages being considered on Beacon Hill.

Dates, times, locations and administration hosts for other forums can be found here.  Summaries along with videos and questions will be posted following the forums.